Switch mechanism for conveying systems



- April 16, 1935. M. J. ANDERSON SWITCH MECHANISM FOR CONVEYING SYSTEMS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 1'7, 1932 HWI H- April 16, 1935. M. .1. ANDERSON SWITCH MECHANISM FOR CONVEYING SYSTEMS Filed Oct. 1141932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m rk [7a verz for ANDEEJON ATToeNEKs' M. J. ANDERSON 1,998,066

SWITCH MECHANISM FOR CONVEYING SYSTEMS FiledOot. 17, 1932 4-Sheets-Sheet 5 Aprii 16, 1935.

April 16, 1935. M. J. ANDERSON 1,998,066

SWITCH MECHANISM FOR CONVEYING SYSTEMS Filed Oct. 17, 1952 4- Sheets-Sheet 4 E I N m: m E a a vr Y ram n ma WW 8 a m 1 z m w 0 HA: L E E 5 3 m Patented Apr. 16, 1935 1,998,066

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SWITCH MECHANISM FOR CONVEYING SYSTEMS Martin J. Anderson, Ellwood City, Pa., assignor to Mathews Conveyer Company, Ellwood City, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 17, 1932, Serial No. 638,048

16 Claims. (Cl. 198-32) This invention relates to new and useful imveyers using ordinary rollers as a conveying provements in switch mechanisms for conveyor means. systems, and more particularly to such appara- A further object is to provide a switch mechatus of the type set forth in cc--pendi11g applinism, the construction of which may be modified cation, Serial No. 604,380, filed April 11, 1932. to adapt it to a wide variety of conditions as, 5 An object of this invention is to provide a refor instance, in steel mill work the length of the liable and efficient switch mechanism adapted to w tc y he Varied acfiordihg t0 the distance receive articles such for example, as metal sheets, between the discharge of the furnace and the either singly or in packs, bundles, packages, boxes, r lli mill; the curvatures of the va or various other articles which are to be 0011- w h i s m y be var m the yml0 veyed from two or more separate sources of supmetrical design Shown in e drawings to an 11 ply to a suitable receiving means. For instance, Symmetrical form eXample, when the rollthe invention has been found very useful in the ing mill is aligned W One S de Of t e ace manufacture of sheet metal, where sheet packs the Switch Section between that S Of the are heated in a 1 3 1 heating furna e and are mace and the rolling mill may be made substan- 15 subsequently passed b k and forth thmugh a tially straight, and the switch section leading from rolling mill to reduce the sheets to the desired the Other Side of the rolling mill may be Curved thickness Wham thus wed, the switch m inwardly to meet the straight switch section at nism is interposed between the furnace and the the junction pgint adjacent to the mil1- 2O rolling mill to quickly transport the hot sheets, A iurther Object is to provide a Wheel type or packs of sheets from either side of the furnace Switch mechanism incorporating movable Switch to the rolling mill, which may be positioned some Sectiflns cemprisine Spaced-apart and aligned a l distance from the discharge end of the furnace. members each having atteehed thereto e plural- Conveying apparatus designed for use in the manity of ami'friction load'carrying Wheels Over ufacture of Sheet metal to Convay the Sheets or which the articles are conveyed, said wheels be- 25 packs of sheets from the furnace to the rolling ing arranged so as to give a differential rotation mill, and back and forth through the latter, during the conveyance of articles thereover h l be Capable Of being Operated at a Very high whereby the articles will follow the irregular or rate of speed, in order that the metal may be curved path of the Switch Sections- Worked as much as pQSsi-me While sufficiently hot Other objects of the invention reside in the to be rolled into thin sheets, and it is an imporprovision of Wheel type conveyer Switch mech' tant object of this invention to provide a switch anism of the gravity type adapted to be automechanism which is applicable for the above purmaticauy Operated by articles aveling therepose, and which will perform its various functions over and comprising a plurality of hinged in a minimum length tima veyer switch sections each arranged to receive A further object of the invention is to provide artwiles from Separat? f of Supply and all an improved automatically operable gra ity leadmg to a smgle lecjelvlng ean in the p r switch mechanism adapted for a broad and dioperated means provided for alternately raising and lowering said switch sections so that when versiiied applications, such the transportation of metal sheets, packs of sheets. comt ls raised opemmve pOsmOI-L- the other will be 1n a lowered inoperatlve position, out of position sheets boards bundles packages boxes the plane of travel of articles being conveyed and various other articles. th

A further object is to provide a switch mechaicons g lon 9 the swttch mechamsm per nism incorporating a r cto driv -"i rol er 1 he w ereby Le swltch sectlons may be moved romivinc 9rd thareof 914961366 5 into and out of registration with their respective 15 i We 4 ources of supply and the common o sinl {A 1 s v fly" p ge g"? and of lVlIlg means; in the particular arrangement the. .e1. e1vew, a heating furnace. of the elements or the combination of elements A further oeie" is to prov de a SWltCh mechacomprising the control means, including limit 54 tf E Wheels 35 switches, magnetic switches, motors, and a sole- 5 me"- 106 ee fi s th articles, whereby the u noid brake and its operating mechanismand at; h n un A '2" 11M tel-cc may He onveyed over HXELDfiRx-xil with 1n the general construction of the entlre swltch the least possible resistance, thereby providing mechanism, whereby it may be readily moved 4- e t. J. lor the b1 anspoltaticn of articles at a greater about from place to place by a suitable crane or speed than has heretofore been possible with con other carrying device. 55

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawin s, there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects or the inventi n, but it is to be understood that the invention is confined to the exact features shown, as various chalges may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view or" my improved switch mechanism;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a similar view, with some of the parts omitted, showing the switch section on the near side in registration with the discharge section leading to the rolling mill;

Figure 4 is a vertical cross sectional view looking along the line A-!- of Figure 1, showing one of the switch sections in raised operative position and the other in lowered inoperative position;

Figure 5 is an end elevation of the receiving end of the switch mechanism, showing the dis-zed live rollers and the control means provided thereover adapted to be actuated by articles traveling over the switch to automatically control the operation of the switch sections;

Figure 6 is a wiring diagram showing the electrical connections between the various control devices;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic plan view showing articles being delivered over the switch mechanism;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view on he line 8-8 of Figure 1, showing the means for supporting the intermediate portions or" the live rollers; and

Figure 9 is a detail sectional View on the line 99 of Figure 1, showing the clearance slots provided in certain of the rails of one of the switch sections adapted to receive the rails of the other switch section.

The gravity switch mechanism featured in this invention is illustrated, for purposes of disclosure, as consisting of two hinged conveyor sections 2 and 3. Section 2 is shown comprising longitudinal side rails 4 and 5 and three intermediate rails 6, which may be formed from fiat or strap metal. The upper or receiving ends of the side rails 4 and 5 and the intermediate rails 6 of the switch section are shown pivotally supported upon a cross member 9, the rails being held in spaced relation by being welded or otherwise secured to the cross member The member 9' is shown circular in cross-section. The opposite or swinging ends of the rails i, 5, and 3 are secured in spaced relation to a cross member I secured to the extremities of the rails by welding or other suitable means. Intermediate the ends of the switch section 2, are suitably secured a plurality of cross s it: and stiffener members i i for rigidly bracing together the rails of the section.

The conveyor section 3 comprises side rails i2 and I3 and three intermediate rails M, all of which are shown relatively wider, vertically, than the corresponding raiis and of the conveyer section 2, as will be readily noted by reference to Figure 3. Th rails l2, and it of the switch section 3 have secured to their lower portions suitable channel members l5 which extend lengthwise thereof. A transverse member 55' of similar cross section, is welded to the lower ends of the side rails i2 and i3 and the intermediate rails l4 and to the longitudinal members if; for rigidly securing the side and intermediate rails in spaced relation, The upper ends of the rails of section 3 are pivotally mount ed on a cross member 9. The intermediate portion of the rails of section 3 are rigidly braced together by cross rails 10, secured to the bottom flanges of the longitudinal members 25.

In l, 2, and 7, I have shown my improved switch mechanism interposed between a conventional furnace having heating compartments A and B, and a rolling mill C. Sheets or packs of sheets discharged from the furnace chambers A and B are delivered onto a live roller conveyor section interposed between the receiving ends of the two switch sections 2 and 3 and the rurnace. The live roller conveyer section 63 is shown comprising a plurality of tubular embers or rollers i1, each having a series of loadsupporting disks is suitably secured thereto as by welding. These disks are arranged in spaced overlapping relation, as best shown in Figure 1.

The conveyer section i8 is power driven, as will suiiisequentiy be described, and functions as a feeder to quickly feed the sheets from the furnace chambers A and B onto the switch sections 2 and whereby the sheets will be quickly passed from the furnace to the rolling mill C.

The rollers ii of the conveyor section it are secured to suitable shafts E4 journaled in bear ings secured to L--shaped members forming the upper part oi a suitable supporting structure Zl. When the live roller section 15 is disposed immediately adjacent to the discharge end of a furnace, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rollers ii are of sufficient length to cause the bearings to be positioned at the sides of the discharge openings of the furnace chambers A and B, so as to be out of the direct path of the high temperature blasts of heat from the furnace chambers, when said chambers are open to discharge sheets therefrom.

The m ans provided for driving rollers ii is best shown in Figure l, and comprises a motor 25 operativeiy connected to a speed reducer Si by suitable coupling 32. A suitable chain drive 39 connects the speed reducer to the adjacent roller El, and the remaining rollers F of the conveyer section iii are driven by suitable chain drives 22. In operation, the rollers l? are continuously rotated by the motor 28. 1e motor 28 and speed reducer 3! may be supported upon the frame structure supporting the pivoted switch sections 2 and 3. A plurality of antidriction rollers 33 are mounted in the supporting frame 2! of the live roller conveyor section adapted to support the intermediate portions of the rollers H to prevent said rollers from deflecting or sagging when a heavy load passes thereo-ver.

The pivoted switch sections 2 and converge to a stationary straight conveyor section it, as best shown Figure 1. This section is shown comprising side rails 29 and intermediate rails 2 i, all of which may be supported upon a suitable structural frame 22. Suitable anti-friction loadcarrying wheels 23 are mounted upon the rails 29 and the stationary section i9, and similar wheels 23 are mounted upon the rails t, 5, and

ii of the switch section 2, and upon the rails i2,

i3, and of the witch section The vertically movable ends of the switch sections and 3 are adapted to be to posi tions wherein the tops of the anti friction wheels iii) 23 will be substantially aligned with the tops of the anti-friction wheels of the stationary conveyer section it. In order to thus vertically move the switch sections into and out of alignment with the stationary conveyer section 59, means must be provided whereby the longitudinally extending rails of the switch sections will not interfere with one another when the sections are alternately raised and lowered. To avoid interference between the rails of the two switch sections 2 and 3, a plurality of notches 3? are provided in the upper portion of the rails i2 and M of the switch section 3. These notches are adapted to receive the longitudinally extending rails 5 and ii of the switch section 2, as clearly illustrated in Figures 4 and 9. It will also be noted by reference to Figure 1 that some of the anti-friction wheels of the switch sections 2 and 3 are arranged in staggeredrelation upon the side rails in order to prevent the wheels from interfering with one another during operation of the switch sections.

Means are provided for alternately moving the switch sections 2 and 3 into and out of alignment with the stationary section i9 and, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, each means may consist of suitable cross arm assemblies 33 mounted upon and secured to a shaft 33. This shaft is rotatably supported in suitable bearings 3% secured to frame members 4d of the supporting structure 22. By referring to Figure 4, it will be noted that each arm assembly 38 is shown comprising spaced side members 5i secured to a hub member 4!. Groove rollers G2 are rotatably supported between the outer ends of the side members 4!. These rollers are adapted to engage track members 63 provided on the side rails 4 and 5 of the switch section '2, and on the side rails i2 and iii of the switch section 3, to thereby support the weight of said movable sections. The two arm assemblies 38 for the switch section 3 are secured in alignment on the shaft 38 and are in right angular relation to the corresponding arm assemblies of the switch section 2. By thus arranging the arm assemblies 38 upon the shaft 38, the switch sections 2 and 3 will alternately move into and out of registration with the stationary conveyer section 9, to thereby provide a continuous path from one of the furnace chambers to the rolling mill C. From the above, it will be seen that the weights of the vertically movable end portions of the switch sections 2 and 3 are carried upon the peripheries of the rollers 42, so that when the arm assemblies are rotated, the switch sections will be vertically moved up and down intoand out of alignment with the stationary conveyer section 19. It will be further noted that when the shaft 38' is rotated ninety degrees, the one section will be lowered from alignment with the stationary section 49, and the other section will be raised from its lowered position to its raised position in alignment with said section, 1 9.

The means provided for rotating the shaft 38 is best shown in Figures 1 and 4, and may consist of a gear :24 keyed to the shaft 38". The gear 44 is shown meshing with a pinion 35 secured to the slow speed shaft of a speed reducer 48, which is connected to a motor 4? by a suitable coupling (it. The motor iii and reducer 55 are mounted upon suitable supports secured to the frame structure of the switch mechanism, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2. From the foregoing, it will readily be understood that when the motor 47 is operating, the shaft 38' will be driven to alternately move the switch sections 2 and 3 into and out of alignment with the stationary conveyor section it.

The novel switch mechanism herein disclosed is adapted for automatic operation and, as shown, comprises a pair of limit switches 49 and E 3 positioned over the receiving ends of the switch sections 2 and 3, respectively, and adapted to be actuated by articles delivered onto said switch sections from the furnace chambers A and The limit switches ill and are shown sup-- ported upon suitable supports 5: secured to the structural frame 2? which supports the live roller conveyer section iii at the receiving end the apparatus. The switches t3 and 58 are of the normally open type, and are adapted to be actu- I ated by earns 58 secured to pivoted arms 52 and 53, each carrying a roller s4 positioned to be engaged. by articles traveling over the conveyer sections, as clearly indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 2. A second pair of switches 55 and 53 are located at the discharge end oithe apparatus adjacent to the gear wheel at, and are adapted to be actuated by cams and es, re-

s1 ectively, secured to the shaft 38. These latter switches are provided with arms carrying rollers 59 which are adapted to be alternately engaged by the cams and 58, to thereby cause the switch sections 2 and 3 to be alternately raised and lowered. In other words, the cams 5'! and so are arranged in right angular relation upon the shaft so that when one of the switches 55 or 55 is open, the other will always be closed. These switches are of the normally closed type.

Actuation of the limit switches All, 56, E55, and

56 controls the operation of the motor 61 Which rotates the shaft 3&3.

In the wiring diagram, Figure 6, I have shown the motor control as comprising two main electrically operated control switches Gil and SE. The switch 683 comprises the usual fixed contacts 62, G3 and 64, connected to the main line conductors B5, 65 and El by suitable w les =38, 69 and iii. The fixed contacts of the switch 5! are adapted to be electrically engaged by a plurality of movable contacts ii, 72 and it having wires l4, "l5 and it leading therefrom to the motor 5?. An actuator 17 is operatively connected to the movable contacts of the switch'ilfi and is adapted to be actuated by a solenoid coil 73 having a wire it! connecting one end thereof to a movable contact as of the limit switch 39. A wire 3! 0011* nects the other end of the coil '58 to the fixed contact 82 of the limit switch 55. The movable contact 83 of the limit switch 55 has a wire 84 connecting it to the main line conductor 85. The fixed contact 55 of the limit switch 49 is connected by a wire 85 to the main line conductor Eli, and a wire 87 leads from the movable contact 8% of the limit switch 9 to a fixed con-- tact 85 adapted to be engaged by a movable con tact 39 which is operatively connected to the actuator Ti, as shown. A wire til connects the movable contact 89 with the movable contact 73 of the motor switch 85.

The other motor switch 65 is shown reprising fixed contacts 9!, 92, and 93, having wires 96, 95 and 3% connecting them respectively to the wires 53%, 69 and m of the motor switch 55 The fixed contacts of the Actor switch 6! are adapted to be electrically engaged by movable contacts 9?, 93 and 99, having wires iiiii, and 2&2 connecting them to the wires 75, i5 and F6 leading from the motor switch 66 to the motor til.

An actuator 103 is operatively connected to the movable contacts of the motor switch 55 and is adapted to be actuated by a solenoid coil I'M having a wire 5 t5 connecting one end thereof with the movable contact I55 of the limit switch 50. A wire if? connects the opposite end thereof to the movable contact Hill of the limit switch The fixed contact it'd of the limit switch is connected by a wire i it to the main line conductor 68. ihe limit switch so has a fixed contact Hi which is electrically connected by a wire l?! to the in line conductor 51, and the movable contact 5 of the switch 58 has a second wire H3 connecting it to a fixed contact El i adapted to be engaged by a movable contact v11 electrically connected to the movable contact of the motor switch 6i by a wire H5. The movable contact H5 is adapted to be actuated by the actuator I63.

To prevent over-running of the motor when the supply of current thereto is interrupted, a suitable magnetic brake indicated by the numeral lie is operatively associated with motor t? and is adapted to be actuated by a spring ill and a solenoid coil H3 having wires iii) and E25 connecting it to the wires '55 and 76 of the motor circuit. The brake MS has an arm iEi, to the outer end of which connected an armature adapted to be actuated by the solenoid 5 it. The brake HE. is normally set by the action F the spring ill, and is released when the solenoid H8 i energized, as will subsequently be close ibed. The brake [it may be suitably supported upon the motor by a bracket H5 attached to an end bearing thereof.

Operat on When the novel switch mechanism herein disclosed is employed for transporting sheet metal plates from two or more furnaces to a rolling mill, as illustrated in the drawings and as hereinbefore described, it is interposed between the discharge ends of the furnace chambers A and B and the receiving end of the rolling mill C, as diagrammatically illustrated in Figure '7. When a sheet discharged from furnace A, as shown in Figure '7, it will, upon reaching the switch actuating arm 53 of the limit switch S9, engage the roller 5d of said arm, whereupon said arm will be actuated to cause the cam 55! thereof to actuate and close the limit switch 49. When this limit switch is closed, a circuit is completed through the solenoid "i8 as follows: wire 8%, closed limit switch 49, wire 69, solenoid l8, wire 8|, normally closed limit switch 55, and wire 84, the wires 84 and 86 being connected to the main line conductors S6 and 6?, as hereinbefore stated.

When the solenoid i8 is thus energized, the actuator l'l will be operated to close the motor switch Si whereupon the motor will operate to rotate the shaft 38, provided, of course, that the limit switch 55 is in a closed position, as when the switch section 2 is in its lowered position. Should the switch section however, be in an elevated position and the switch section 3 in a lowered position, then the circuit to the solenoid 18 cannot be completed, because the limit switch 55 will then be held open by the cam 51 secured to the shaft If, on the other hand, the switch section 2 is in a lowered position and the switch section 3 is in its raised position, the circuit through the solenoid 18 will then be completed because of the limit switch '55 being closed, whereupon said solenoid will be energized and close the motor switch 60. As soon as the shaft 38 has been rotated ninety degrees the cam 51 will engage and open the limit switch 55, whereupon the supply of current to the solenoid 18 will be cut off, causing the motor switch 60 to return to its normal open position, with the resultant interruption of the motor. The movable contacts of the motor switch 5G may be returned to their normal open position by means of gravity or by suitable springs, not shown.

It will thus be seen that if the sheets continue to discharge from furnace A, the motor t? will remain at rest and the switch section 2 will be retained in its raised operative position in registration with the stationary conveyor section it. Closing of the limit switch as by an article engaging the roller 54 of the arm 52 thereof, will therefore have no effect upon the motor unless the limit switch 55 is in closed position, which occurs only when the switch section 2 is in its lower inoperatve position. When the switch section 2 is thus positioned, the solenoid 18 will be ener ised to close the motor switch 5.! and thereby cause the motor to rotate the shaft 38' and return the switch section 2 to its elevated operative position.

Should a sheet be discharged from the furnace 3 onto the switch section 3, then the limit switch 53 over said switch section will be closed because of sheet oscillating the limit switch actuating arm 52. The closing of the limit switch 58 will complete a circuit to the solenoid I35, if the limit switch 56 is in closed position, as when the switch section 3 is in its lowered inoperative position. The cams 57 and 53 are arranged in timed relation with the up-and-down movement of the switch sections 2 and. 3, so that when the switch section 3 is in its lowered position, the actuating surfaces of the cam 58 are disengaged from the wheel of the limit switch 56, whereupon the switch 55, being of the normally closed type, will return to its closed position. In the wiring diagram and in Figure 4, the limit switch 55 is shown in open position, the position assumed when the switch section 3 is in its raised position and the cam 58 is out of engagement with the roller 49 of the limit switch 55. Should the switch section 3 be in its lowered position, then the limit switch 55 will be closed so that when the switch 59 is closed by a sheet discharged from the furnace chamber B, a circuit through the solenoid 34 will be closed as follows: from the main line conduotor Bl, through the wire H2, limit switch 50, wire H35, solenoid 1M, wire I91, through the closed contacts of the limit switch 55, and thence through the wire I I!) to the main line conductor 86. At the instant that the solenoid I04 becomes energized, the actuator [t3 of the motor switch 6| will operate and close said switch, whereupon the motor 4'! will be operated until the cam 51 and the shaft 38, to which the said cam is secured, have rotated approximately ninety degrees, at which time an operating surface of the cam 5'! will engage and open the limit switch 55, thereby breaking the circuit to the solenoid I04 and permitting the actuator M3 to open the motor switch 6i and thus cause interruption of the motor 41. It is to be understood that the magnetic brake I I6 is released when the solenoid I H! is energized and pulls the arm IZI downwardly. When current flow through the solenoid H8 is interrupted, the brake will automatically be set by the action of the spring H1, as is well known.

It will thus be seen that the operation of this novel conveyer switch mechanism is automatic,

and the arrangement of the limit switches is such that if the sheets or articles are alternately delivered to the switch sections 2 and 3 from the separate sources of supply, the motor will continuously operate to raise and lower the switch sections, so that whenever an article is fed from one side of the furnace A or B onto one of the switch sections 2 or 3, the particular switch section connected therewith will automatically raise into registration with the stationary section l9 so that the sheets may pass uninterruptedly over the switch mechanism from the furnace to the rolling mill. It will also be noted that if the sheets are continuously delivered to one conveyer section, as for example section .2, then that switch section will be retained in alignment with the stationary section E9 to present an unbroken path to articles traveling over apparatus from the furnace A to the rolling mill.

While the switch mechanism of this invention has been illustrated for the specific use of transferring sheets or of sheets from a double heating furnace to a rolling mill, it is to be understood that many modifications may be made to adapt the switch for the transportation of other articles or materials. Experience with a number of installations of switch mechanism has proven that the dimensions of the switch may be varied greatly. For instance, the center to center dis- I tance at the receiving end of the movable switch sections may be increased and the longitudinal length of the switch sections may be decreased, with a resultant greater curvature in the switch sections; and with such increased curvature the sheets will still follow very accurately the curved path presented by the switch sections, and upon reaching the end of the stationary switch section the sheets will be aligned substantially at right angles to the longitudinal length of the stationary section so that the sheets will be in position to enter the mill.

The action of the sheets in accurately followthe curved path of the conveyer sections results from the use of the wheels 23 provided upon th rails of the switch sections 2 and 3, whereby a differential rotation is obtained between the various wheels carrying the sheet; that is, the wheels attached to the inside frame rails will not rotate as rapidly as those attached to the outside frame rails at those portions of the switch sections in which the curvature of the rails is formed from a single radial point. Modifications may be made in the grate of the switch sections-that is, in the amount of drop from the receiving to the discharge end of the switch mechanism. The anti-friction type wheels used as the carrying means have a very low coefiicient of friction and offer very little resistance to the travel of sheets thereover. For this reason, they are adapted for the transferring of articles or sheets made of very light weight material. It will be obvious that in a gravity type of switch mechanism of the character herein disclosed, that the speed at which articles will travel thereover is governed by the slope or grade of the switch sections. The anti-friction wheels may be made from any suitable material applicable to the particular installation.

In the drawings I have shown the switch sections 2 and 3 as being symmetrical in form, but it is to be understood that this is not essential to the operation of the apparatus, for in some installations the rolling mill C may be alined with one of the heating chambers'of the furnace as,

for example, with the heating chamber A. In

such installations, the switch section 2 would be made substantially straight while the switch section 3 would be curved so as to lead from the heating chamber B to the stationary section l9 which is alined with the rolling mill as now shown in Figure 1. It is also to be understood that instead of pivotally mounting the switch sections 2 and 3 as herein disclosed, they may be mounted for straight up-and-down movement, that is, instead of oscillating or swinging one end of each switch section, said switch sections will always be retained in parallel relation and will be alternately moved up-and-down into and out of alinement with the stationary conveyer sections it and it, provided at the ends of the switch sections. In lieu of the chain drives 29 and 30, the rollers it may also be driven by suitable gears operatively connecting them together, and also connecting them to the speed reducer 3|. In the drawings I have shown the apparatus adapted for use to convey articles in one direction, or from two separate sources to a single receiving means. It is to be understood, how ever, that by slightly modifying or rearranging some of the parts of the apparatus, and reversing the inclination of the switch sections, the apparatus may be used for transporting articles in the opposite direction, from a single source to two separate receiving means.

Because of the cams 51 and. 58 being arranged in right angular relation, as shown in Figure 6, the motor A l which operates the switch sections and 3, may be rotated in either direction. In Figure 6, I have shown a reversible motor but it is to be understood that a non-reversible motor maybe used in lieuof the reversible motor shown without affecting the operation of the apparatus. The motor 28 is adapted for continuous operation and does not operate in timed relation with the motor ll nor the up-and-down movements of the switch sections 2 and 3. This motor is provided with an independent control switch, not shown in the drawings.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, a plurality of conveyer switch sections spaced apart at one end of the apparatus and converging to a. single conveying means positioned at the opposite end thereof, means for pivotally supporting the spaced-apart ends of said sections, operating means'for raising and lowering the converging ends of said switch sections to control the movement of articles passing thereover, and a control means for said operating means comprising a plurality of interconnected control elements, certain of which are positioned to be engaged by articles delivered onto said switch sections, and others being operatively associated with said operating means and dependent upon movement thereof to become operative and render said operating means operable.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a plurality of conveyer switch sections spaced apart at one end of the apparatus and converging to a single conveying means positioned at the opposite end thereof, means for pivotally supporting the spaced-apart ends of said sections, actuating means at the opposite ends of said sections for raising and lowering said ends to guide articles over the apparatus without interference, and an automatic control for said actuating means comprising a plurality of control elements, certain of which are positioned to be engaged by articles delivered onto said switch sections, and others being operatively connected with said actuating means andtadapted to be actuated thereby to become operative and render said actuating means operable.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, aplurality of conveyer switch sections spaced apart at oneend of the apparatus and converging into a single conveying means positioned at the opposite ends thereof, means for pivotally supporting the spaced-apart ends of said sections, a cross-shaft at the converging ends of said switch sections, means on saidshaft for alternately raising and lowering said switch sections when the'shaft is rotated, and a control means associated with said shaft and adapted to be actuated by rotation thereof to control the movement of articles passing over said switch sections.

4. In an apparatus of the class describedpa-plurality of conveyer switch sections spaced apart at one e'ndof the apparatus and converginginto-a single conveying means positioned at the opposite end thereof, means for pivotally supporting the spaced-apart ends of said sections, a cross-shaft at the converging ends of said switch sections, means on said shaft for alternately raisingand lowering said switch sections when the shaft'is rotated, means for driving said shaft, and a control means for said driving means comprising a plurality of control elements, some of which are positioned to be actuated by articles delivered onto said switch sections, and others being influenced by rotation of said shaft to control the operation of said driving means.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, a plurality of movable switch sections adapted to receive articles from separate sources of supply, said switch sections converging to a single receiving means whereby all articles received by said sections may be delivered to said receiving means, means for pivotally supporting said switch sections at their receiving ends, an operating means for automatically raising and lowering the discharge ends of said switch sections, and a control means for said operating mechanism, comprising a plurality of control elements, certain of which are positioned to be actuated by articles traveling over the apparatus, and others of which are adapted to be actuated by movement of said operating mechanism.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a plurality of movable switch sections adapted to receive articles from separate sources of supply, said switch sections converging to a single receiving means whereby all articles received by said sections may be delivered to said receiving means, means for pivotally supporting said switch sections at their receiving ends, a shaft at the discharge ends of said sections having oppositely extending arms thereon adapted to engage said switch sections and alternately raise and lower them into and out of registration with said receiving means, a driving means for said shaft, and a control means for said driving means comprising suitable limit switches positioned adjacent to the receiving and discharge ends of said switch sections, some of said limit switches being adapted to be actuated by articles delivered onto said switch sections.

'7. In an apparatus of the class described, a plurality of gravity conveyer switch sections adapted to receive articles from separate sources of supply, said switch sections converging to a single receiving means whereby all articles received by said sections will be delivered to said receiving means, a plurality of power driven disks at the receiving ends of said switch sections for positivelyfeeding the articles thereto, means for alternately raising and lowering said switch sections to provide a continuousand unobstructed path forarticles passing thereoven'and a plurality of elements associated with said'raisingand lowering means and positioned in the paths of articles delivered onto said switch sections whereby they may be actuated thereby and control the operation of said raising and lowering means.

8. In anapparatus of the class described, aplurality of switch sections adapted to receive articles from separate sources of supply, said switch sections converging to a single receiving means whereby all articles received by said sections will be delivered to said receiving means, a plurality of power driven conveyer sections at the receiving ends of said switch sections for positively feeding the articles thereto, operatingmeans for raising and lowering said switch sections to control the movement of articles passing thei'eover, and means for automatically controlling the operation of said operating means, comprising a plurality of limit switches electrically associated with said operating means and positioned to be engaged by articles delivered onto said switch sections to thereby control the operation of said operating means.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, a plurality of switch sections adapted to receive articles from separate sources of supply, said switch sections converging to a single receiving means, whereby all articles received by said sections will be delivered to said receiving means, a plurality of power driven conveyer sections at the receiving ends of switch sections for positively feeding the articles thereto, operating means for raising and lowering said switch sections to corn trol the movement of articles passing thereover, and a plurality of limit switches for COIltIOllilZ the operation of said operating means, certain of said limit switches being positioned to be actuated by articles delivered onto said switch'sections.

10. In an apparatus for automatically transferring articles from different sources of supply to a single receiving means, a plurality of switch sections spaced apart at the receiving end of the apparatus and converging to a single ,conveying means at the opposite end thereof, means for pivotally supporting the receiving ends of said sections, means for alternately raising and lowering the converging ends or" said switch sections to provide continuous and unobstructed paths for articles passing over the apparatus, and a plurality of power driven feed rolls at the receiving ends of said switch sections for positively feeding the articles thereto.

11. In an apparatus for automatically transferring articles from different sources of supply to a'single receiving means, a plurality of switch sections spaced apart at the receiving end of the apparatus and converging to a single conveying means at the opposite end thereof, means for pivotally supporting the receiving ends of said sections, electrically operated means positioned to be selectively actuated by articles being transferred over the apparatus to thereby alternately raise and lower the converging ends of said switch sections to provide a continuous and unobstructed path for articles passing over the apparatus, and a plurality of power driven feed rolls at the receiving ends of said switch sections for positively feeding the articles thereto.

12. An apparatus adapted to transfer -hot-metallic sheets from a plurality of furnaces to a rolling mill, said apparatus comprising a plurality of switch sections, each having one end alined with one of the furnaces and having their opposite ends converging to the single intake of the rolling mill, said switch sections being mounted for vertical movement, operating means for raising and lowering said switch sections to provide continuous and unobstructed paths for sheets being transferred over the apparatus from the furnaces to the rolling mill, means for controlling the operation of said operating means, and a plurality of continuously operating power driven feed rolls interposed between the receiving ends of said switch sections and said furnaces for quickly and positively delivering the hot sheets onto said switch sections from the furnaces.

13. An apparatus adapted to transfer hot metallic sheets from a plurality of furnaces to a rolling mill, said apparatus comprising a plurality of switch sections, each having one end alined with one of the furnaces and having their opposite ends converging to the single intake of the rolling mill, said switch sections being mounted for up-and-down movement, operating means for raising and lowering said switch sections to provide continuous and unobstructed paths for sheets being transferred over the apparatus from the furnaces to the rolling mill, control means positioned to be actuated by sheets traveling over said switch sections to automatically control the operation of said operating means, and a plurality of continuously operating power driven feed rolls interposed between the receiving ends of said switch sections and said furnaces for quickly and positively delivering the hot sheets onto said switch sections from the furnaces.

14. In a transfer mechanism adapted for use in connection with a plurality of furnaces and a rolling mill to transfer hot metallic sheets from the furnaces to the mill, said transfer mechanism comprising a plurality of switch sections having their receiving ends alined with the furnaces and having their opposite ends converging to the single intake of the rolling mill, means pivotally supporting the receiving ends of said switch sections, operating means at the converging ends of said switch sections for raising and lowering said ends to provide continuous and unobstructed paths for sheets being transferred over the apparatus from the furnaces to the rolling mill, means for automatically controlling the operation of said operating means comprising a plurality of control elements, certain of which are positioned to be actuated by sheets delivered onto said switch sections from said furnaces, and others being associated with said operating means and adapted to be actuated by movement thereof, and a plurality of power driven feed rolls interposed between the receiving ends of said switch sections and said furnaces for quickly and positively delivering the hot sheets onto said switch sections from the furnaces.

15. A portable transfer mechanism comp-rising a plurality of switch sections adapted to receive commodities from separate sources of supply and deliver them to a suitable receiving means, said switch sections converging to a single conveyer means connected to said receiving means, means movably supporting said switch sections, operating means at the converging ends of said switch sections for raising and lowering said switch section into and out of operative relation with said single conveyor means to provide continuous and unobstructed paths for commodities being transferred over the apparatus from said separate sources of supply to the receiving means, and means for automatically controlling the operation of said operating means, comprising a plurality of control elements, certain of which are positioned to be actuated by commodities delivered onto said switch sections from said separate sources of supply, and others being associated with said operating means and adapted to be actuated by movement thereof.

16. In an apparatus for transferring articles from separate sources of supply to a single receiving means, a plurality of switch sections spaced apart at the receiving end of the apparatus and converging to a single receiving means at the discharge end thereof, said sections being substantially aligned laterally at all times with said receiving means, means for pivotally supporting the receiving ends of said sections, operating means for alternately raising and lowering the converging discharge ends of said switch sections to vertically align the same with said receiving means and to provide continuous and unobstructed paths for articles passing over the apparatus, said operating means comprising an electrically operated device, and switch means for controlling the operation of said device.

MARTIN J. ANDERSON. 

